NCT00829322

Brief Summary

Fatigue is a persistent, subjective sense of tiredness, which interferes with a person's usual ability to function. It is believed to be both the most common and the most distressing symptom experienced by those with cancer. Despite the magnitude of the problem, there has been inadequate research into the management of cancer-related fatigue. Central nervous system (CNS) stimulants are the only class of drug established as being directly effective in relieving fatigue. Traditional stimulants, such as methylphenidate (Ritalin), can cause side-effects such as difficulty sleeping at night and anxiety. Modafinil is a relatively new stimulant with few side-effects. There is increasing evidence that modafinil can reduce fatigue in healthy individuals and patients with chronic, non-cancer conditions. No good quality studies have been published evaluating modafinil in patients with cancer, despite multiple calls for such research to be undertaken. The investigators have completed a small study to determine the feasibility of undertaking a larger, high quality study to assess the effect of modafinil on fatigue in patients with lung cancer. Modafinil appeared to improve fatigue rapidly and was not associated with serious side-effects. Ten of the fifteen patients who completed the study chose to continue modafinil long-term. However, the study was too small for definite conclusions to be drawn. This larger, definitive study, funded by a National Cancer Research Institute research award, will establish more clearly whether modafinil can improve fatigue in patients with lung cancer. Two hundred and six patients will be recruited from a number of sites across the UK. Half of the patients will take modafinil, and the other half will take a 'dummy' tablet every day for a month. The fatigue levels of the two groups will be compared. Confirmation that modafinil can relieve cancer-related fatigue could have a highly significant impact on the quality of life of the very large number of patients suffering from this common and distressing symptom.

Trial Health

87
On Track

Trial Health Score

Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach

Enrollment
208

participants targeted

Target at P75+ for phase_4

Timeline
Completed

Started Feb 2009

Typical duration for phase_4

Geographic Reach
1 country

24 active sites

Status
completed

Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.

Trial Relationships

Click on a node to explore related trials.

Study Timeline

Key milestones and dates

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

January 26, 2009

Completed
1 day until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

January 27, 2009

Completed
5 days until next milestone

Study Start

First participant enrolled

February 1, 2009

Completed
3.2 years until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

May 1, 2012

Completed
Same day until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

May 1, 2012

Completed
Last Updated

August 19, 2013

Status Verified

August 1, 2013

Enrollment Period

3.2 years

First QC Date

January 26, 2009

Last Update Submit

August 16, 2013

Conditions

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

  • The fatigue subscale of the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy measurement system

    28 days

Secondary Outcomes (4)

  • Epworth Sleepiness Scale

    28 days

  • Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale

    28 days

  • Quality of life linear analogue scale

    28 days

  • Adverse events

    28 days

Study Arms (2)

Treatment group

EXPERIMENTAL
Drug: Modafinil

Control group

PLACEBO COMPARATOR
Drug: Placebo

Interventions

Modafinil 100mg once daily for 14 days, increasing to 200mg once daily for a further 14 days

Treatment group

One capsule daily for 14 days, increasing to two capsules daily for 14 days

Control group

Eligibility Criteria

Age18 Years+
Sexall
Healthy VolunteersNo
Age GroupsAdult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

  • Participant is willing and able to give informed consent for participation in the study
  • Male or female, aged 18 years or above
  • Diagnosed with NSCLC
  • Stage 3a, 3b or stage 4 disease, or recurrent disease after surgery or radiotherapy
  • WHO performance status of 0-2
  • Participant has a screening score of 5 or more in a 10-point numerical rating scale (NRS) of fatigue severity within two weeks of enrolment
  • Able (in the investigator's opinion) and willing to comply with all study requirements, including ability to participate for in study for 28 days
  • Willing to allow his or her General Practitioner to be notified of participation in the study.

You may not qualify if:

  • Received radiotherapy or chemotherapy within the last 4 weeks
  • Commenced on an EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors eg Gefitinib and Erlotinib within the last 6 weeks.
  • Commenced on antidepressants or steroids (corticosteroids and progestational steroids) within the last 2 weeks
  • Received blood transfusion within the last 2 weeks
  • Potentially fertile woman of child-bearing age
  • Major anxiety requiring intervention in secondary care
  • History of arrhythmia requiring medical intervention
  • Uncontrolled hypertension with blood pressure greater than 160/100 mmHg
  • History of cor pulmonale or left ventricular hypertrophy
  • Currently taking warfarin
  • Previous adverse reaction to modafinil or other CNS stimulant
  • Scheduled elective surgery or other procedures requiring general anaesthesia during the study
  • Any other significant disease or disorder which, in the opinion of the Investigator, may either put the participant at risk because of participation in the study, or affect the participant's ability to participate in the study
  • Currently participating in another research study involving an investigational product.

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Study Sites (24)

Stoke Mandeville Hospital

Aylesbury, United Kingdom

Location

Macclesfield District Hospital

Cheshire, United Kingdom

Location

University Hospital of North Tees

County Durham, United Kingdom

Location

Basildon and Thurrock University Hospitals

Essex, United Kingdom

Location

Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital

Hampshire, United Kingdom

Location

East Kent University Hospitals

Kent, United Kingdom

Location

Queen Elizabeth Hospital

Kings Lynn, United Kingdom

Location

University Hospital

Llandough, United Kingdom

Location

Royal Marsden Hospital Fulham Road

London, United Kingdom

Location

Royal Marsden Hospital Sutton

London, United Kingdom

Location

St George's Hospital

London, United Kingdom

Location

Christie Hospital

Manchester, United Kingdom

Location

Wythenshawe Hospital

Manchester, United Kingdom

Location

James Cook University Hospital

Middlesbrough, United Kingdom

Location

Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust

North Yorks, United Kingdom

Location

Churchill Hospital

Oxford, United Kingdom

Location

Papworth Hospital

Papworth Everard, United Kingdom

Location

Withybush General Hospital

Pembrokeshire, United Kingdom

Location

Peterborough District Hospital

Peterborough, United Kingdom

Location

Royal Surrey County Hospital

Surrey, United Kingdom

Location

Great Western Hospital

Swindon, United Kingdom

Location

Hillingdon Hospital

Uxbridge, United Kingdom

Location

Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust

West Yorkshire, United Kingdom

Location

Mid Yorkshire Hospital NHS Trust

West Yorkshire, United Kingdom

Location

Related Publications (1)

  • Spathis A, Fife K, Blackhall F, Dutton S, Bahadori R, Wharton R, O'Brien M, Stone P, Benepal T, Bates N, Wee B. Modafinil for the treatment of fatigue in lung cancer: results of a placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized trial. J Clin Oncol. 2014 Jun 20;32(18):1882-8. doi: 10.1200/JCO.2013.54.4346. Epub 2014 Apr 28.

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung

Interventions

Modafinil

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Carcinoma, BronchogenicBronchial NeoplasmsLung NeoplasmsRespiratory Tract NeoplasmsThoracic NeoplasmsNeoplasms by SiteNeoplasmsLung DiseasesRespiratory Tract Diseases

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Benzhydryl CompoundsBenzene DerivativesHydrocarbons, AromaticHydrocarbons, CyclicHydrocarbonsOrganic Chemicals

Study Officials

  • Bee Wee, PhD

    University of Oxford

    PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

Study Type
interventional
Phase
phase 4
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Masking
QUADRUPLE
Who Masked
PARTICIPANT, CARE PROVIDER, INVESTIGATOR, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
Purpose
TREATMENT
Intervention Model
PARALLEL
Sponsor Type
OTHER
Responsible Party
SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

January 26, 2009

First Posted

January 27, 2009

Study Start

February 1, 2009

Primary Completion

May 1, 2012

Study Completion

May 1, 2012

Last Updated

August 19, 2013

Record last verified: 2013-08

Locations